Ask A NurseCategory: PregnancyI’m 28 weeks pregnant and I’ve been constipated I tried exercising and I drink plenty of fluids I’ve been drinking prune juice but nothing seems to be working. Are there any safe medications that I can take?
Nicole asked 4 years ago

I’m 28 weeks pregnant and I’ve been constipated I tried exercising and I drink plenty of fluids I’ve been drinking prune juice but nothing seems to be working. Are there any safe medications that I can take?

1 Answers
Elika Roohi Staff answered 4 years ago

You’re smart to want to take steps to relieve your constipation now because your growing baby will take up more room in the months ahead and constipation can be a continuing struggle.  Many women have more constipation after baby is born. 
Before you think about medications, take a close look at what you’re eating.  Prune juice and at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily are valuable but that’s just the start.  Pregnant women are recommended to have 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day.  The first step is to decrease processed foods in your diet.  These foods, such as white bread, chips and crackers, contribute calories to your diet but zero fiber.  Next look at lists of foods rich in fiber, pick your favorites and stock your kitchen so you’ll have them handy to snack on and cook with.  There are two kinds of fiber: insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.  Insoluble fiber is what you need to help with constipation. Good sources are brown rice, oatmeal, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, bananas, and fresh fruits eaten with the peel on such as apples. 
If you make a conscious effort to eat enough high fiber foods to get your recommended requirement of 25 to 30 grams daily and still have concerns about constipation, ask your pregnancy care provider about natural fiber products which can provide enough fiber to keep your intestines moving.  These are safe for most pregnant women when taken as directed but there are different brands so it’s important to ask your provider which they think is best for you.
Another powerful strategy to decrease constipation is to make sure you are active every day.  Exercise can make a big difference to keep not just you, but also your bowels, moving!